The enforcement of the law relating to cruelty to animals is a matter for the police, but I am satisfied that all our officials are concerned to ensure that the animals for which they are responsible are properly handled. The Government buyer in charge of each collecting centre is a livestock auctioneer, and the grading of the stock is supervised by 42 inspectors, who are each responsible for from 20 to 66 centres. There are also three headquarters inspectors who visit the centres as may be required.

I have to remind the hon. Member that many of these points are opened only once a fortnight, or once a month. I believe there is one inspector in charge of 66 centres; 35 of these centres operate once a fortnight, and 10 operate once a month.